TNT recognised for eco strategy

TNT has been awarded a number of environmental and occupational health and safety standards for its global management systems.

The company has been certified by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA), for ISO14001 for environmental management, ISO9001 for quality management, OHSAS18001 for occupational health and safety management, as well as ‘Investors in People’ for its staff.

TNT conducted a pilot environmental management scheme at its depot in Northamptonshire in order to achieve the standard, after which the scheme was rolled out to the entire UK network.

At the same time TNT established a number of global objectives to reduce its carbon footprint and launched an initiative called Planet Me which looked to target climate change.

TNT also improved electricity consumption at depots and began a number of waste management programmes which in the UK increased recycling by 33 per cent in 2007 to 4,536 tonne, creating a cost saving of around £300,000.

Neil Griffiths, director of health safety and environment at TNT Express Services UK & Ireland, said: “For us it’s about continuous improvement; it’s more than just a certificate that hangs on the wall; it’s about creating good business benefits from a robust environmental management system.”

Earlier this year TNT Post launched a carbon neutral mailing service for business addressed mail, which it says was a first in the UK. Prior to this in May the company unveiled its fleet of zero emission vehicles, enabling it to reduce its carbon footprint by 1.3 million kg of carbon dioxide annually.

The new 100-strong fleet of delivery trucks will replace diesel equivalents over the next 18 months.

Peter Bakker, CEO of TNT, said: “We are living in times of great change and the launch of the fleet represents a critical component in what we are striving for – to make TNT the first zero emissions express and mail company.

“Global warming is the biggest issue the world is now facing. As a transportation company TNT contributes to this problem, which is why we are constantly looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint. State-of-the-art electric vehicles are a great alternative to those that use fossil fuels, especially in urban areas.”